National Recovery Month

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National Recovery Month (Recovery Month) is celebrated in the United States every September. It began in 1989 as “TreatmentWorks! Month” and was initially founded to honor treatment and recovery professionals. In 1998, the month evolved into National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month to include those who have recovered from an alcohol or substance abuse addiction. In 2011, it was changed once more to National Recovery Month in order to encompass all aspects of the behavioral health field. Now, the month is intended to educate Americans on the treatment services and options available to those suffering from addiction or mental health disorders and to celebrate those who have already recovered.

Various federal, state, and local government groups assist in the planning of Recovery Month. This planning group, known as the Recovery Month Planning Partners’ Group, spearheads the development and dissemination of materials (including print, web, television, radio, and social media material) and assists in the promotion and event sponsorship throughout the month. These materials and events reach out to those in need of services and provide multiple resources including SAMHSA’s National Helpline - 1-800-662 HELP (4357) for information and SAMHSA's Treatment information at http://www.samhsa.gov/.

Above all, National Recovery Month promotes the message that treatment is effective and attainable and recovery is possible for anyone suffering from a behavioral health problem. Join the voices of recovery by participating in our #IamRecovery campaign. Click here to learn more.

Among adults aged 18 or older, 43.8 million a mental illness in the past year.

Among people aged 12 or older, 21.6 million people were classified with substance dependence or abuse in the past year.

By 2020, mental and substance use disorders will surpass all physical diseases as a major cause of disability worldwide.

Among people aged 12 or older, 20.2 million needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem in the past year, but did not receive treatment at a specialty facility in the past year.

In 2013, adults aged 21 or older who had first used alcohol at age 14 or younger were more likely to be classified with alcohol dependence or abuse in the past year (14.8%) compared to adults who had their first drink at age 21 or older (2.3%).

An estimated 8.7 million (22%) of underage persons aged 12 to 20 were current drinkers in 2013, including 5.4 million binge drinkers and 1.4 million heavy drinkers.

According to the University of Michigan’s 2014 Monitoring the Future study, 1 in 5 12th graders reported binge drinking at least once in the prior two weeks.

In 2013, 8.8% of youth aged 12 to 17 were current illicit drug users and 11.6% were current alcohol users. 5.2% were considered to have a substance use disorder in the past year.

In 2013, 10.7% of youth aged 12 to 17 experienced a major depressive episode in the past year while 7.7% had a major depressive episode with a severe impairment in one or more role domains (e.g., chores at home, school/work, close relationships with family, or social life).

In 2013, 22.3% of full-time college students aged 18 to 22 were currently using illicit drugs and 59.4% were current drinkers.

The rate of current nonmedical use of prescription-type drugs amongst college students is 4.8%.

The mental health of college students is a growing concern — 18% of college students have seriously considered attempting suicide and 60.5% of students report having severe feelings of sadness.

Research shows that family supports play a major role in:

Helping to prevent mental illness and/or substance use disorders

Identifying when someone has a problem

Connecting those in need with treatment resources and services they need to begin and stay on their recovery journey

In studies of clinical populations, completion of addiction treatment and participation in peer recovery groups are more predictive of long-term recovery than either activity alone.

Several studies have concluded that helping others improves one’s own prognosis for recovery. By sharing their experiences, peers bring hope to people in recovery, and promote a sense of belonging within the community.